Private Wild Terentatek Could Not Stop Us

[Astra Sadow]

Korriban. Astra's smile had tightened when Lysander had offered. Of course it held some historical value, but that was all in Astra's opinion. It was a dry-as-a-bleached-bone world with heat and light that made it inhospitable to a Sangnir; worse, there were treasure hunters and self-professed 'archaeologists' prowling about claiming they'd found Exar Kun's lightsaber or Naga Sadow's robe in one of those decrepit tombs.

His familial connection, however, she'd known about; and as much as it pain Astra to visit such a place, establishing relations with someone in the Order would be useful. Being a businesswoman she knew you didn't always get to pick the ideal client. Though in this case, Astra wasn't worried about Revna as she was the dust ball Revna ruled.

So, after an entirely too long trip, they'd arrived at Korriban. As a way of apologizing for a sudden disappearance here or there, she'd accepted Lysander's request to a game of dejarik. The things a woman did to maintain her air of mystery. That and to avoid ravaging Lysander's neck during the long flight. Even a Sangnir like herself had limits.

Unlike their swordplay, however, there would be no doubt whether Astra had gone easy on Lysander in dejarik.

"It was a legal move," his opponent replied after the game ended.

"I think it's about time we head toward the throne room. That rematch will have to wait until business has been concluded." Modern dejarik had a few pieces and rules that had once been unfamiliar, but in the end the fundamentals -- as Lysander put it -- were the same. And a Sangnir certainly understood the need to think ahead when it came to moving pieces on a board -- it's how they kept their blood supply from noticing and launching some fool campaign.

After they'd gotten under way, her attention turned back to the man at her side. Colorful history and familial connections Lysander had. No wonder he had aspirations for corporate influence in The Core. Astra intended for their efforts to extend into the Sith Order as well in time. His connection to the Empress might prove useful... in resolving 'miscommunications' that might result in a turf war. They intention wasn't to destabilize the government, after all. Though not everyone came out ahead when it came to shaping the Game.

Today, Astra wore a long, white jacket over a scarlet-red vest, shirt, and tie. The overbearing sun made black a bit uncomfortable. Yes, as a Sith one should embrace-- Astra was powerful enough to decide she wasn't going to bother suffering like some Acolyte.

"Do you think they'd mind if I set up a Sanguine field office here?"

Lysander von Ascania | Revna Marr​

 

[Lysander von Ascania]

Revna Marr | Astra Sadow
​

From Jutrand to the Throneworld and beyond, the pieces of the galaxy seemed to be settling back into their proper alignment. For Lysander, that signified a return to a life in perpetual motion. After nearly a month away, he discovered the return to transit felt far less burdensome than expected. The endless movement now carried an almost comforting familiarity. Less a frantic dash from one crisis to the next, and more like a tour, an opportunity to rekindle old ties one planet at a time.

Almost a year passed since he last set foot on Korriban. His previous visit was alongside Naniti, the pair exploring the planet's Dark Side nexus with that particular kind of confidence capable of making a dubious plan seem entirely sensible right up until the moment you realized you were in over your head. Much had changed in the time since.

Today marked a visit long overdue.

The game was entertaining and therein lay the problem itself. Asked yesterday to rate his devotion to dejarik, he probably would have placed it somewhere between indifference and outright apathy. But.. none of that detachment survived first contact with competition. A familiar flaw, to be sure. The subject itself could leave him entirely cold, and once a contest began, the need to win blazed fierce.

Worse, she'd won.

Just before disembarking the transport shuttle, eyes lifted to meet hers. "Legal? That's an interesting defense to choose, no? At no point did accusations of illegality leave my mouth. Cheating was the charge." Indifference colored the shrug offered at the suggestion of a rematch. But anyone truly acquainted with Lysander would understand a second contest was inevitable.

They were well on their way toward the palace, advancing at a casual pace, Korriban's heat settling over him as fine grains of red sand already clung to his dark boots. Attire for the occasion stayed simple, a black tunic dipping into a modest V at the collar over fitted black leggings. Sleeves were rolled to the forearms. Some things simply never faded with time. Fashion tastes had broadened considerably through the years, of course, though certain staples stubbornly stayed in rotation.

Lysander's gaze drifted from the white of her jacket to the scarlet showing beneath before lifting again to Astra's face. A lone brow arched. He slipped two fingers under the edge of his own collar and gave it a light tug.

"You're going to give the wrong impression," unfurled lightly from his tongue. No official rule forbade it, of course, but after catching sight of a Sith in white beside him, the observation was too tempting for the blonde to not voice.

Both hands found their way into his pockets for a while as they walked; after a moment he finally answered her, "Astra, I've learned anything's possible." And it was true. She'd shown support through more than a few of his pursuits, and even through legal troubles as well, so of course he was doing his best to return the same in kind.

He was still turning the idea over somewhere. "I think you should bring it up. If there's a path forward, we may as well explore it." Not an unreasonable ask, not by any faction's standards, really. Words settled before he nudged an elbow at Astra's ribs. "No need to trouble yourself over Brosi; I will personally see to it, you have my word."

At last, the Palace of Vardin revealed itself against the horizon, growing larger with each step as they drew near to the gates. Figures in armor peeled from their posts, advancing to meet them before they could cross the threshold.

"State your purpose," the taller guard rumbled.

"We seek an audience with Her Majesty."

The guard did not move at once.

"Inform her Lysander and Astra Sadow have arrived."

To him, the formality was hardly necessary. Word had been sent well before their arrival, and Revna would already be awaiting them, so there was little chance of the encounter growing needlessly tangled.​